Friday night at the Stade de France will be the stage for the first of the 2023 World Cup semi-finals as Argentina take on New Zealand in Saint-Denis.

After some thrilling and closely-fought quarter-final clashes, this first semi-final between the Pumas and All Blacks is likely to be more one-sided.

Both sides suffered defeats in their opening games of this World Cup respectively and have responded well to those early setbacks.

However, Friday night might well prove to be the end of the road in France for the South Americans.

Team news

Argentina have made one change from the side that overcame Wales in Marseille, with Gonzalo Bertranou replacing Tomas Cubelli at scrum-half.

As for New Zealand, head coach Ian Foster has made two changes to his starting XV from the side that overcame Ireland at the Stade de France last weekend.

Mark Telea returns on the wing after missing the Irish clash for breaking team protocol and there’s one change made in the pack, as Sam Whitelock comes in for Brodie Retallick in the second row.

Match Odds

New Zealand are the firm favourites in the match winner market to claim the victory in the 80 minutes at the Stade de France.

The All Blacks are 1/14 for the victory, with Argentina at 9/1 to cause a major shock in Saint-Denis. A tie on the night is available at 33/1.

With five to his name, New Zealand’s Will Jordan is just one try behind France’s Damian Penaud in the standings for the leading tryscorer for the tournament.

Jordan is the joint-favourite at 4/6 to score anytime, while the Crusaders star is 9/2 to score the first try of the game on Friday night.

New Zealand -18 handicap @ 10/11

The All Blacks have dominated this fixture over the years. Since their first meeting in 1985, the Kiwis have won 33 times against the Argentinians, losing twice and drawing another.

New Zealand have especially dominated in the last two encounters, scoring 94 points in convincing victories in Hamilton and Mendoza.

The All Blacks had no trouble overcoming a -18 handicap in those meetings and Friday’s game is likely to follow a similar path.

Rieko Ioane anytime tryscorer @ 5/4

Rieko Ioane has made the No.13 jersey his own for New Zealand and the utility back is likely to have a big role to play against the Pumas.

At 26 years old, Ioane has already played 68 times for the All Blacks, scoring 36 tries in the process.

The Blues star has scored in both of his last two meetings with the Pumas and is good value to cross over against the Argentines in Saint-Denis.